A Democratic candidate for the Pope County Quorum Court is recovering from a concussion after his bicycle was struck by a vehicle early Monday morning.

R.E. Hodges of Russellville was struck by a vehicle at about 7:30 a.m. Monday while riding west on U.S. Highway 64 near Fat Daddy’s Bar-B-Que.

Hodges, who is running for the District 11 seat on the Pope County Quorum Court, said a car traveling eastbound turned into the restaurant’s parking lot and struck his bike, sending him into a ditch.

A report of the incident was not immediately available.

Hodges said he was wearing a helmet and suffered scrapes, bruises and was later diagnosed with a concussion while being treated at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center, where he was transported by Pope County emergency responders.

“The helmet saved me,” Hodges said. “I did have a concussion, but no broken bones. It could’ve been much worse.”

Hodges said several drivers of other vehicles who witnessed the incident stopped to assist him. Hodges said one man returned his helmet and another brought his bicycle to his home.

After being treated, Hodges was in a wheelchair at the hospital ready for discharge when he had a seizure.